Prisoner processing team (PPT)
Another part of my new duties apparently seems to be manning up the PPT.
What this is in essence is that some where down the line in an effort to keep front line officers on the streets some bright spark though it would be a good idea that when a response officer made an arrest they would take there prisoner to there station and after booking in the prisoner * opps sorry " Detainee" and write up there notes they would hand over the detainee and notes to a PPT officer who would conduct the initial investigation.
That would include getting statements from related parties, interviews , dealing with solicitors and approved adults etc etc as well as placing charges and doing the case papers for court.
All in all it sounds like a great idea until you read the crap statements and notes taken by the response officers it makes life hell.. The real issue I can see while doing this is the "brain" switching off by the arresting officer once he is back in side the nice safe warm station where his or her's brew is on the go ( with or with out optional bacon sarine )
don't get me wrong I love investigative interviews and dealing with cases and getting to the truth of the matter. I just think it should be looked at to see if there is a different way of doing it.
I know of some stations that are on 12 hour shift pattern (24h ) and the PPT officers are on a 8 hour shift pattern which means that in the early mornings the responce officers still end up dealing with there detainees for arrests after 2am and are such not on " the streets "
maybe I am rambling out loud and typing this as I think but I believe there must be a better way of doing this ? Having the car operator be the Deputy OIC ? I don't know but it does come down to a numbers game in the end. Do we really have enough officers on response or have they all been posted to hi visibility patrols on foot ??
8 comments:
we should get tony blair to do some secretarial work...see what he says doing 4 friggin hours of fart arsing about for a frigin shop lifter
If the response officers will not or cannot do a proper job, deal with them just as if they are useless at any other part of their duty. They are part of what has to be a disciplined team and need to appreciate that. There should be a policy of nil discretion in putting up with their bad work. I take what Lennie says but the genie is out of the bottle and reduction in demand for paperwork, stats, blah blah blah is unlikely.
There is a small band of men and women who have undertaken hours of study and gruelling exams, just so they could have the opportunity of giving a bollocking to the useless, lazy PC who never, ever gets the paperwork right.
Take it to one of them, you'll know them by the three stripes on their shoulder and the cross eyes from sitting looking at crime statistics all day. Give them a break from their tedium and allow them a chance to vent their frustration at not being able to get out on the streets by ripping the head off a PC.
maybe if the ppt didn't NFA so many jobs...
@ anon 3.58pm :)
So true so very true !
But paperworks isnt every thing !
Numbers are.
@ Anon 8:08pm
There is a world of difference between been arrested for an allegation of crime and been charged for it, dont forget its the CPS now how decide if a charge is approprate.
Once upon a time you dealt with your own prisoners. This meant lots of police officers off the streets. Take it from me, what you have may not be perfect, but it is a lot better than what went before.
P.S. Be very careful complaining about others. People in glass houses....It is spelt THEIR not THERE!
I try not to complain :)
and again english is not my first langaue and I still have trouble with their and there. I guess with this blog I will get it right eventualy :)
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